During the darkest moments of the Great Depression, Albert Bromley penned a hymn that resonated with Christians who found themselves on the victim side of stock market crash. The hymn underscored hope by reminding the church we’re on a journey through this world, and our destination is in the beyond. While the song refrains from saying we’re in Exile, it’s clear we’re not living in the Promised Land either.
The imagery of “Promised Land” and “Exile” are both rooted in Scripture. The Promised Land was the stretch of property guaranteed to Israel at the time of Abraham. Following 400 years of captivity, Moses then Joshua led them in the conquest of the land. For the next 1000 years they tamed the land and built a society governed by the very laws God gave them. Unfortunately, they were not faithful to God and he sent them into Exile. Quickly, they were foreigners in a strange land, held captive against their will. They had no say. They had no power. They had no voice. Whatever laws and customs they brought with them were subject to the laws and customs of their captors. Yes, a few found favor in the government, but they were few and far between.
For those of faith, life in the Promised Land versus life in Exile are two very different experiences. Living in the Promised Land means we’re insiders who fit into society, while living in Exile means we don’t fit in nor really belong. Living in the Promised Land means what we have is permanent, while living in Exile means the conditions are temporary. Living in the Promised Land means we subject the darker forces to a higher power, while living in Exile means we’re subjected to the darker powers. Living in the Promised Land means we own, control and define the culture, while living in Exile means we have little say into controlling and defining culture. Living in the Promised Land means we are in the majority, while living in Exile means we’re part of the minority. Living in the Promised Land is an Old Testament image, while living in Exile is a New Testament image.
The question is which image best describes the church? Are we a church living in the Promised Land or are we a church living in Exile? In some parts of the world it’s easy to see how the church is in Exile. China keeps a tight rein on churches and Middle-East regions are often antagonistic to the Christian faith. The church in America has felt like we’re living in the Promised Land. We’re guaranteed the right to assemble and to share our faith. We have voting rights. Much of our laws and culture is still rooted in the Christian faith. America is often referred to as a “Christian” nation. Is it possible that it’s all an illusion?
Maybe one of the issues we’re facing today is that we’re trying to live in the Promised Land, and the reality is we’re living in Exile. Peter is the one who reminds us that we are “strangers,” “aliens,” “foreigners,” “refugees,” “temporarily residing,” and “sojourners” (multiple translations from 1 Pet. 1:1) and are encouraged to embrace this role as an “outsider” while living in this world (1 Pet. 2:11). As much as we want to fit in, we don’t. As much as we want to live in the Promised Land, we’re struggle to live in Exile. Maybe the words written in 1936, which resonated with the victims of the Great Depression, still resonate with us because deep down we know we’re living in Exile.
This world’s not my home, I’m just a
passing through;
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue;
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door
and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.
Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)